NSAIDs: Reye syndrome: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pharmacology · NSAIDs: Reye syndrome

Sample item

A 6-year-old child recovering from varicella is given aspirin for fever and then develops vomiting, confusion and raised liver enzymes with hypoglycaemia. Which condition is likely?

AKawasaki diseaseBAcute viral hepatitis ACParacetamol hepatotoxicityDReye syndrome

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reye syndrome

Aspirin given during influenza or varicella is associated with Reye syndrome, an acute encephalopathy with fatty liver. Aspirin is therefore avoided in febrile viral illness in children, with paracetamol preferred.

Option by option

A. Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is treated with aspirin, not caused by it.
B. Acute viral hepatitis A
Hepatitis A would not explain the aspirin link and the encephalopathy picture.
C. Paracetamol hepatotoxicity
No paracetamol was given in this scenario.
D. Reye syndrome (correct)
Correct. Aspirin with a viral illness in a child suggests Reye syndrome.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Reye syndrome. Aspirin given during influenza or varicella is associated with Reye syndrome, an acute encephalopathy with fatty liver.

Why is "Kawasaki disease" not the answer?

Kawasaki disease is treated with aspirin, not caused by it.

Why is "Acute viral hepatitis A" not the answer?

Hepatitis A would not explain the aspirin link and the encephalopathy picture.

Why is "Paracetamol hepatotoxicity" not the answer?

No paracetamol was given in this scenario.

What concept does this question test?

It tests NSAIDs: Reye syndrome in Pharmacology. Aspirin is therefore avoided in febrile viral illness in children, with paracetamol preferred.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study NSAIDs: Reye syndrome?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.